Q&A with Ireland's India McPeak

India McPeak is an up-and-coming elite gymnast who competes for both Ireland and Northern Ireland. While artistic gymnastics may not be a very popular sport in her country, India is certainly helping to put them on the radar. In 2013 she represented Ireland in several major international competitions such as the European Championships, the World Championships, and the Cottbus Cup. We caught up with India to discuss her college plans, future upgrades, and more! 

You committed to Western Michigan a few years ago and now it seems you are changing your commitment?
When the new coach took over at WMU, she decided not to honor the scholarship commit.  At the time, I was devastated but this definitely motivated me to work hard and not give up on my dream of competing in college gymnastics.

I know you are in the process of finding another school. Have you gone on any other visits besides for the University of Michigan?
No, nothing's scheduled yet - my initial decision was to defer for a year, so I am in contact with some schools for 2015 entry also.

Speaking of Michigan, how was your official visit? 

I had a great time in Michigan! The team, coaches, and support staff were all so welcoming and friendly. They have a fantastic gymnastics program and amazing facilities. It was awesome to seem them win their meet against UCLA and Utah!

What makes you want to do college gymnastics?
In the UK, college gymnastics doesn't exist and I'm definitely not ready to give up the sport I love! Competing in FIG is mostly individual, so to be apart of an NCAA team would be amazing! I love the team atmosphere and energy. Being at the meet last week (Michigan vs. UCLA/Utah) made me want this even more.

When can fans expect your commitment announcement? 

I have fans?! haha. As soon as I have something to tell, the Twitter World will know immediately!

Will you still do elite once you begin college?
Yes, I hope to but obviously college commitments will always come first.

Can you explain how you compete for both Ireland and Northern Ireland?
Being Northern Irish I am entitled to dual nationality i.e. I can have British and Irish passports. This enables me to compete for both countries - for Commonwealth Games I will be competing for Northern Ireland and for World Championships I will be competing for Ireland.

What have been some of your proudest accomplishments so far?
In 2010, I fractured a vertebrae (yes, in gymnastics!) and I had to take over 2 months completely out of training. Returning to competition within 6 months and being stronger than ever was something I thought I would never achieve! Any time I compete for my countries is always a proud moment. The most memorable being when Northern Ireland placed 3rd as a team at the Northern European Championships and competing for Ireland at my first World Championships last year.

Do you have any cool memories from Worlds that you can share?
Hmm... in the training halls one day, Brandon Wynn saw my teammate Emma Lunn and I, and he shouted across the gym to us and literally everyone turned around to see who he was talking to! (We've been friends since Cottbus World Cup last year) I felt so cool! Then on the first day of training I saw Martha Karolyi watching me on beam...talk about pressure! And then just before marching out to compete, I (quite literally) bumped into Kyla Ross in the toilets. She's so lovely though!

Did you say anything to Kyla?
Well I apologized for bumping into her, then it was just hair talk and the troubles of getting your bun to stay in! #gymnastprobs

What is gymnastics like in your country? Is it a popular sport?
Gymnastics would not be the most popular of sports here as most kids do school sports, and gymnastics is not one of them. It is however growing throughout the country with the standard of clubs and coaching getting better and better. Hopefully we will see Ireland moving up the world rankings in years to come.

Are you working on any upgrades for this season?
Vault: Adding a full twist on my laid-out tsuk
Bars: Aiming to have a jaeger in for Commonwealths
Beam: Ready to compete 2.5 twist dismount
Floor: Triple twist (no pun intended lol) and front 2/1 twist

And some random questions just for fun. If you weren't a gymnast, what sport would you do?
Diving would be cool!

If you were stranded on an island and could only take one thing with you what would it be?
My iPhone.. but then I'd need a charger, and electricity, and a 3G network, and unlimited data. So that wouldn't work... hmm... probably The Hunger Games trilogy!

If you could have the career of any gymnast who would it be and why?
Shawn Johnson - I've always admired her power and skill, and I love how even after retiring from gymnastics she is still promoting health and fitness

What is your dream skill?
Double double on floor and laid-out full twist on beam!

What are some of your future goals?
I would love to make all around or apparatus finals at the Commonwealth Games in July. But my long term goal - Rio 2016!

Check out some of India's impressive upgrades on beam! 

 

Be sure to follow India on Twitter! (Here)

10 Things You Don''t Know About...Ragan Smith

1. I have a dog (a markie) named Rio! 

2. My mom was a gymnast and an all-american at Auburn University. 

3. I was a model when I was five, six, and seven! 

4. I have two younger brothers, Jackson and Hudson, who are on travel baseball teams in Coppell, Texas. 

5. Pink is my favorite color.

6. Spaghetti is my favorite food! 

7. My dad works for AT&T. 

8. I have a cousin named Sophie who is a level 7 gymnast, and her mother (my aunt) was a gymnast too! 

9. I love IVIVVA clothes!

10. My name (Ragan) is my mothers maiden name without the "s" on the end.  (Ragans) 

10 Thing's You Don't Know About:
Victoria Moors
Sarah Finnegan
Laurie Hernandez
Ari Agrapides
Ellie Downie
Vanasia Bradley
Jazmyn Foberg
Deanne Soza

Emily Wong - A Leader and Champion

Photo belongs to Wyn Wiley

Best known in the gymnastics world for her flawless triple twist and infectious smile, senior Emily Wong has been nothing less than a superstar for the University of Nebraska. Not many gymnasts can say they've accomplished as much as Emily has in the last few years and by the time her career is complete, she will proudly be able to say she was one of the greatest Nebraska gymnasts of all time! Currently, she's an eight-time All-American, a two-time Big 10 All Around Champion, an honor roll student (with a 3.9 GPA!), and has collected four Big 10 event titles in her career so far- just to name a few of her many accomplishments. "I've gotten so much better as a gymnast since I have been at Nebraska." Wong told us. "The coaching staff has been amazing and has helped me with my confidence and believing in myself." Wong attributes much of her individual success to her teammates. "In club, it was usually about yourself and I never liked that. Now that I have a team, I am doing it for them and it motivates me so much more. I want to improve for them!" she said. Emily has been a part of a conference championship winning team since her freshman year when Nebraska won the Big 12 Championships during their last year in that conference. Since joining the Big 10, Emily and her teammates have won the last two championship titles- something that she is very proud of. Emily is also happy that everyone on the team had a chance to compete at least once this year. "All twelve of our girls on the team were in a leotard and got to compete at one meet. Since I have been here that has never happened and it was amazing and so exciting to see everyone out on the floor doing what we all love!"

Photo belongs to David Drufke

Aside from her gymnastics, Emily's personality has also made her a fan favorite. Inside the gym, she describes herself as hard-working, very competitive, and a perfectionist; which is evident when you watch her compete. Outside the gym she says she's easygoing, outgoing, and friendly. "I'm a very happy person and usually always have a smile on my face," she said. That smile even shows during the hardest of times.

Photo belongs to Travis Shafer

Just a few months ago Emily's father suffered from a stroke and passed away. While many would let emotions get the best of them, Emily has used her father's death as her incentive going into her final season. "This season is for him. I want to make him proud and it really motivates me to work hard in the gym and in meets," Wong said. Though she has been competing with a heavy heart, Emily can always be seen with a smile on her face. "He was my biggest fan and it's definitely a big change not having him at meets or seeing his face every weekend. It has been hard this whole season, but I try not to ever let it show." Emily notes that her teammates play a big part in lifting her spirits when she's feeling down. "My team has definitely been here for me through it all and I can always count on them to brighten my day when it's a tough day." Emily keeps a picture of her dad in her gym bag to remind herself that he is still with her. "He is probably still my loudest fan!" she added. With her father looking down on her, Emily has gone undefeated in the all around and on floor in all eight meets so far this season. Additionally she has collected twenty seven event titles, three Big 10 Gymnast of the Week titles, and has been ranked #4 in the all around nationally for most of the season.

Photo belongs to Emily Wong

Coming into her final season, Emily's personal goal was to improve from last year and become a better leader for the team. So far, she feels like she has done that. "I believe that I have become a better gymnast. Working hard over the summer and preseason- mainly on my form and my skills has helped. I have also become more vocal as a leader and try to show by example. I want to be the best leader I can be for my team to help achieve all our goals." she said. The team's goal this year is to defend their Big 10 title for the third consecutive year, which is very plausible. Depending on how things play out for the Cornhuskers in the post season, Emily would love for her team to win their first National Championship. If she could end her career in any way, that is how she wants to do it. As the end of the regular season is quickly approaching, it's safe to assume Emily will be a threat for the all around title at Championships this year as well as a few event titles.

Photo belongs to huskers.com

After gymnastics, Emily plans to apply for physical therapy school and hopefully become a pediatric physical therapist someday. Since she doesn't graduate until December, Emily would also like to stick around and help out with the gymnastics team next season.

Fun fact: Emily kept the second part of her floor routine the same as last year because she thinks the music and dance is catchy and she loves that she can smile the whole way through!

Thank you Emily! We wish you all the best! 

Before the NCAA: Lesser Known Elites

Many collegiate gymnasts are actually former (or even current) elite gymnasts. Former National Team members often compete in the NCAA after ending their elite career, such as Olympians Bridget Sloan and Samantha Peszek. Though many well-known elites are currently in the NCAA, there are even more lesser-known former and current elites competing at the collegiate level.

Here’s a list of some top NCAA gymnasts that fans may not have known at the elite level.

Randi Lau

School: Penn State (LSU for two years)
Year: Junior
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

Club Gym: Kokokahi Gymnastics

Elite Experience: Lau competed as a junior elite from 2006-2008 and has competed at several gyms in her career including WOGA. At the Visa Championships she he placed fifth on beam and eighth in the all-around, securing her place on the U.S. Junior National Team.

Jaclyn McCartin

School: Washington

Year: Junior

Hometown: West Covina, Cal.

Club Gym: Gliders/West Coast Elite

Elite Experience: In 2010, McCartin competed as a senior at the Visa Championships and finished 12th all-around and seventh on beam. Jaclyn is best known for her beautiful lines! 

Liz McNabb

School: Illinois

Year: Senior

Hometown: Fishers, Ind.

Club Gym: DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics

Elite Experience: Growing up, McNabb became best friends with 2008 Olympian Samantha Peszek as they trained at the same gym. In 2005, McNabb joined Peszek in the junior elite ranks at the Classic and Visa Championships. McNabb finished 14th all-around at Classics and 14th at Championships.

Shelby Salmon

School: Arkansas

Year: Senior

Hometown: Noblesville, Ind.

Club Gym: Sharp’s

Elite Experience: This Indiana native has trained at both DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics and Sharp’s, connecting her to 2008 Olympians Samantha Peszek and Bridget Sloan. In 2006, Salmon qualified as a junior elite and placed 9th all around at the US Classic where she competed under DeVeau's. Shelby ended her elite career at the Visas Championships after deciding to drop back down to level 10. Fun fact: Her cousins, Stephanie and Tim Gentry were also elite gymnasts and both competed for Stanford.

Michelle Shealy

School: Iowa State

Year: Senior

Hometown: Snellville, Ga.

Club Gym: Gwinnett Gymnastics Center

Elite Experience: Shealy qualified to the elite ranks in 2006 as a junior and competed at the US Classic and Visa Championships. Her best result was placing 17th on beam!

Austin Sheppard

School: Michigan

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Murphy, Texas

Club Gym: WOGA
Elite Experience: Unlike most of the girls mentioned in this post, Sheppard was an elite who trained in the United States, but represented Hungary in international competitions. In 2011, she competed at the European Championships and the World Championships where she placed 11th on vault- her signature event! Unfortunately an injury in 2012 kept her from making it to the Olympics.

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Emma Sibson

School: Penn State

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Allen, Texas

Club Gym: Zenith Elite

Elite Experience: Sibson is following the trend of Canadian elites competing in the NCAA. Her situation is similar to Michigan’s Talia Chiarelli as she trained in the U.S. but competed internationally for Canada. In 2010-2012, Sibson competed at Elite Canada and various other elite competitions. She also competed at the Covergirl Classic and Visa Championships in 2010 under the American elite program. After these competitions she ultimately decided to compete for Canada at the elite level and as a level 10 in the United States. 

Erica Smith

School: WVU

Year: Senior

Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.

Club Gym: Eagles Gymnastics

Elite Experience: In June of 2006, Smith qualified to the elite level as a junior. She competed at the US Classic and Visa Championships (where she placed 12th on floor) before changing gyms from GAGE to Eagles Gymnastics. 

Nicole Szabo

School: UIC (Illinois-Chicago)

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa

Club Gym: Johannesburg Gymnastics Center

Elite Experience: This Johannesburg native has competed for South Africa internationally since 2009. Some of the major competitions she has been to include the 2010, 2011, and 2013 World Championships and the 2011 and 2012 Doha Challenge Cup.

Rachel Updike

School: Mizzou

Year: Junior

Hometown: Olathe, Kan.

Club Gym: Kansas Gymnastics Dance and Cheer

Elite Experience: While training at GAGE, Updike qualified to junior elite in 2006. She competed at Championships and was named to the U.S. Junior National Team after finishing 12th in the all-around and 10th on beam. Like most GAGE gymnasts, Rachel beautiful to watch particularly on beam and floor. 

Kellie Wanamaker

School: ASU

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Washington, N.J.

Club Gym: Parkettes

Elite Experience: Wanamaker qualified to junior elite in 2009 and competed in both the Classic and Visa Championships in 2010. Like most of the girls in this post, she returned to level 10 soon after.

By: Amanda and Ashlee